Electric storage battery and conducting-plate therefor.



No. 650,885 Patented lune 5, I900.

S L. WIEGANO.

v ELECTRIC STORAGE BATTER Y AND CONDUCTING PLATE THEREFOR.

(Application filed June {5, 1897. Renewed Oct. 30, 1899.) (No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

INVENTOR m5 ucwms PETERS c0, PuoYo-uma, wAsmNsmN, D c.

No. 650,885. Patented June 5,1900. 8 L. W|EGAND. ELECTRIC STORAGEBATTERY AND CONDUCTING PLATE THEREFOR.

(Application filed June 5, 1897. Renewed Oct. 80, 1899.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

a if 3 1313. 6579 INVENTOR WITNESSES:

UN Iran Sfrrr'r QFArENT f owes.

s LLOYD wireANn, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

ELECTRIC STORAGE BATTERY AND CONDUCTING-PLATE THEREFOR:

SPF.GIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 650,885, dated. June5, 1900 Application filed th 5, 1897. Renewed October so, 1899. SerialNo. 735,332. (No model.)

To allowhom it mayeoncei vt:

Be it known that I, S LLOYD WIEGAND, a citizen of the United States,residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inElectric Storage Batteries and Conducting Plates Therefor; and I dohereby declare the following to be a sufficiently full, clear, and exactdescription thereof to enable others skilled in the art to make and usethe said invention.

This invention relates to electrical secondary or storage batteries, andparticularly to that class of batteries sometimes termedtension-batteries, having conducting-plates of different polarity onopposite sides, with interposed layers of active material and anabsorbent separating-stratum moistened with and containing anelectrolytic liquid, the sev; eral elements acting in series.

The object of this invention is to insure continuous insulation betweenthe opposite sides of the plates, to facilitate the proper placing andsafe retention of the several strata between the plates, to cheaplyproduce and arrange the plates and strata into piles with the leastlabor, and, further, to provide for the easy inspection and testing ofinsulation while the battery is in service, and to incase the batteryfor convenient handling and safe transportation.

To this endth-is invention consists in a form of conducting plates orpans having on the under side ashallow cavity surrounded by a rim, adeeper cavity on the upper side inclosed by the outwardly-inclined sidesof the pan, and a rim or rims at the top of the sides so curved as toform troughs or grooves in which a liquid or fusible insulating materialwill be retained by gravitation as well as by adhesion, and a protectingoverhanging portion to prevent the electrolytic liquid from entering thetroughs. Such plates are supplied with strata of active material and anelectrolytic liquid in intermediate absorbent strata and superposed oneach other, so as to operate in series to receive and deliver cur-'rents of higher tension or voltage proportioned to the number of platesand interposed strata in the pile.

The construction of this inventionis here vertical section thereof.

being in section.

inafter fully described, and shown in the ac companying drawings, inwhich--- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of one of the plates, ofrectangular form, embody ing part of this invention. Fig. 2 shows a Fig.3 shows a perspective View of one of the plates of circular form, andFig. 4 shows a vertical section thereof. Fig. 5 shows in elevation apile of the plates, such as shown in Figs. 1 and 2,- charged with strataof active material and absorbent material and with the insulatingmaterial in the rim, the left side of this figure Fig. 6 shows anenlarged Section of a modified form of sides and rims for holding theinsulating material. Figs. 7,

8, and 9 show modifiedforms of platesin cross-section. Fig. 10 showsinsection a plate orpan having a rim on the bottom formed without acorresponding groove in the inside bottom of the pan, as shown in otherfigures. Figs. 11 and12 show forms of this invention for continuouslysupplying non conducting material to insulate the opposite surfaces ofthe plates or pans from each other.- Fig. 13 shows in perspective view abattery as incased for use. Fig. 14 shows a vertical section thereof.Fig. 15 shows in enlarged sectional view the part of the case embracingthe handles, the clamping-screw, and insu lating-ferrules andbinding-posts. .Fig. 16.

shows a sectional elevation of a plate or pan with the rim so curled asto form two troughs for holding insulating liquid. Fig. 17 shows apartial section of a pan with tubes for supplying and preventingoverflow of the insulating liquid from the trough. Figs. 18, 19, and 20show modifications thereof. Fig. 21 shows in section a modification ofthe part depicted in Fig. 12.

Referring to the first five figures of the drawings',,1 represents thefiat bottom of the pan, and 2 a shallow cavity under it surround. ed bya rim or ridge 3. V

4 represents the inclined or flaring sides of;

the plate, having a rim 5, curved outwardly, downwardly, and thenupwardly, so that the edge 6 is turned upward and forms a trough orgroove 7 between it and the downward curve or curl 8 and without makingcontact with the metal above it. In this trough an insulating liquid isplaced or a non-conducting fusible material, or both, forming aninsulating band or zone between the opposite surfaces of the plate, sothat in case of cracking crosswise or breaking of the insulatingmaterial from continuous intimate contact with the metal it flowstogether on the application of heat and causes it to reunite and restorethe insulation.

In the form shown in Figs. 6 and 20 the trough 7 is made as a separatepart from the plate, and the edge 6 of the pan dips into thenon-conducting material contained in it. The outer edges 5 of the panoverhang the trough 7, so as to prevent any overflow of electrolyticliquid dropping into the trough 7 and short circuiting the plate. Fromthe trough 7 tubes 46 (shown in Fig. 20) extend outwardly, through whichliquid insulating material can be introduced, and by observing the levelof such liquid the depth of the insulation can be readily ascertained.

Tubes marked 46, (shown in Figs. 17, 18, 19, and 20,) extendingoutwardly and upwardly from the bottom of the trough 7 and terminatingbelow the level of the top of the troughs 7", afford the means ofobserving the depth of the insulating liquid in the troughs 7 andprevent overflow of the troughs 7.

The groove 7 should be protected in every instance from the entrance ofelectrolytic liquid.

In the form shown in Figs. 7, 8, and 9 the curl of the rim is mademanifold, so as to inclose two or more troughs 7 and 7 which arrangementhelps to retain insulation in the grooves 7 and 7, but are moreexpensive to make and trouble to fill.

The plates or pans above described are made of conducting ductile metal,rolled sheet-lead answering the purpose. The active in aterial say astratu m2 of moistened red lead-is filled into the bottom cavity 2 levelwith the ridges 3. A like stratum of moistened litharge 10 is filledinto the pans on the upper side. Upon this is placed a thin layer 13 ofasbestos felt, and on it a stratum of absorbent material 12 (charcoal inpowder answers,) saturated with liquid electrolyte, is placed, and abovethis another layer of asbestos felt 13 is laid and another plate or pansimilarly charged and insulated at the rim placed upon it, and so onuntil the entire height for the desired voltage or electric tension isattained. The plates before charging may be amalgamated, preferably bywashing them with a solution of nitrate of mercury and with metallicmercury. Abottom conducting-plate 14, made and filled in the upper side,as above described, but with the lower cavity 2 empty, is laid under thepile and another plate, such as described, but which need not have thesides 4. and rim 5 and having only red lead filled in the lower cavity2, but otherwise empty, is placed on the top, the plates being pressedtogether by the top 29 of the case, screws 19, and springs 33, or byboth, as shown in Figs. 14 and 15. Conductors 16 and 17 from an electricgenerator are applied, respectively, to the top and bottom plates andthe current passed through the pile, with the effect of converting thestratum of lead oxid upon one side of the plate into metallic lead andon the other side into peroxid of lead. \Vhen fully charged by thegenerator, a reverse electric current rcturns from the pile through theconductors and an interposed apparatus when electrically connected witheach other. By using the form of plate with the described system ofmarginal insulation of the opposite sides of the plates from each otherelectric conduction through the pile ofplates and interposed strata iscontinuously maintained.

A continuously-liquid insulation instead of a fusible and congealablematerial may be used in the trough 7, and by forming an overflowpassage20, as shown in Fig. 11, slightly lower than the other parts of the edge(3 of the trough, and providing a guiding-tube or liquid-comluctor 21,leading to the trough 7 of the top plate, the insulating fluid may besupplied to the groove in the top of the pile with great facility andthence to the others, and in the event of any excess of electrolyticliquid running over the edge of the pan the overflow does not reach theinsulating ring or rim contained in the trough, and therefore theinsulation remains unimpaired be tween the opposite sides of the plates.

In Figs. 11 and 21 are shown an arrangement of overflow tubes orconduits by which insulating fluid supplied to the rim or groove in thetop plate fills that groove with a complete insulation of oppositesurfaces from. each other and discharges the surplus liquid into thegrooves of the several plates below with like effect.

In Fig. il a tube 23 extends from the top of the rim downwardly belowthe surface of the liquid in the groove 7, and another tube 22' extendsfrom the surface-level of the liquid in the groove downwardly below thelevel of the liquid in the groove 7 of the pan below, so that the innerand outer sides of the tubes 21 and 23 are insulated by the liquid inthe groove 7 and the several grooves are kept supplied with insulatingliquid poured into the tube 21 of the top plate and overflowingsuccessively the tubes 22 of the plates below and maintains theinsulation of the opposite sides of each plate continuously.

In Fig. 11 the conduit or tube 2]. is curved so as to pass under andupwardlyaround the rim of the lower pan and deliver the insulatingliquid from the overflow of the trough in the pan above to that nextbelow.

In Fig. 12 instead of a curved tube a straight tube 22', leading fromthe surface-level of the liquid in the upper trough 7, passes throughthe bottom of that trough downward through an opening 23 in the top ofthe rim of the pan next below. The openings 23 are provided with tubes23, which extend downwardlyinto theinsulating liquid in the trough 7, soas to insulate the opposite surfaces of the plate, and in order toprevent accidental electrical conduction or short-circuiting at thispoint by contact between the tubes 22 and 23 an insulating-covering 24:,of glass or other non-conducting material, is applied to the exterior ofthe tube 22, or a lining 24E, of like material, to the interior of thetube 23, or both, may be used. A rim 25, raised above the top of the rimof the pan around the opening 23 of the tube 23, serves to prevent anyof the electrolytic fluid when overflowing the pan entering the tube 23.

The continuously-liquid insulation is serviceable in stationarybatteries, the congealable insulation being preferable for those inportable service.

The form of plate shown in Fig. has the rim 26, which surrounds thebottom cavity 2, formed Without any corresponding depression 3' in thegreater cavity of the pan, and

the rim 26 maybe made of other materialthan the pan, its function beingto confine the outer edge of the stratum of active material in thecavity 2.

In Figs. 13 and 14c is shown a complete cell or battery as incased. 27represents the bot tom ofthe case, the edges of which 27 proj ect beyondthe sides of the case-body 28, and theinner part (marked 27) extends upinto and fits the part 28 and also into the cavity 2 of the bottom panof the battery. The top of the cover 29 also extends beyond the body 28at the part marked 29', and the central part fits into the top of thepart 28 and also into the upper or deeper cavity of the top pan of thebattery, so that when pressed downwardly the cover 29 presses the-several pans and the interposed strata closely against each other. 30are plates secured to the sides 28, having lugs 31, into which screws19, passing through the cover 29, fit and draw the cover 29 downward.Springs 33, placed under the heads of the screws 19, serve to maintainconstant pressure. Ears 34, formed on the plate 30, have bails orhandles fitted in apertures 32, so as toswing upward above the cover 29,as

shown to the left in Figs. 13 and 14, to facili tate the lifting andcarrying of the battery and when folded down, as shown inthe right ofthese figures, lie within the vertical plane of the edges 29 and 27 ofthe cover 29 and bottom 27, so that the battery can be stored compactly.In the plate 30 are formed cavities 40, having inserted in theminsulatingbushing 41, which project slightly in the cell or body of thecase through openings 42 in the sides 28 and through openings 43 in theplate 30. Into these bushings 41 bindingposts 44; and 45 are inserted,and the inner ends of the binding-posts l4 and 45 are elec; tricallyconnected by insulated conductors 16 and 17 with the top and bottom panor plates of the battery.

The pans or plates may be made, as shown in Fig. 7, without the cavity 2and ridge 3,

but with a curved edged rim and trough 7 for holding the. insulatingmaterial, the layer or stratum of metallic oxid being placed on the topof the absorbent stratum 12 3 but such construction is less convenientto make, in that the gaging of the thickness of the stratum demands morecare in the absence of the ridge 3 than to guide the leveling of thesurface by passing a roller or sweep over it, resting upon the ridges 3.It is practicable to place the red lead and the litharge strata inreversed positions, the effect, being a reversal of the direction of thecurrents.

I believe I am the first to invent and make conducting-plates forstorage batteries having different polarity on opposite .sides withtroughs in the rims for holding by gravitation a liquid or fusibleinsulation protected from the entrance of the electrolytic liquid andsusceptible of replenishing without segregating the parts of the pile ordisturbing the operation of the battery, and entitled to claim all formsof cond ucting-plates provided with such troughs, and the first to makeplates with liquid insulation between oppositely-polarized surfaces ofthe plates and entitled to claim, broadly, plates having such insulationby liquid and also to devices for replenishing the insulation withoutinterrupting the use of the battery.

Having described my invention, ,what I claim is- 1. A conducting-platefor storage batteries, having a rim raised around the under surface,inclosing a flat cavity and inclined sides around the upper side of saidplate, terminatingin a curled edge containing one or more troughsretaining by gravitation a liquid insulating material, or insulatingmaterial adapted to become liquid, and means to protect said insulatingmaterial from overflow of electrolyte as set forth.

2. In pans of conducting-plates for storage batteries marginal rimscurved so as to form one or more troughs retaining by gravitation liquidnon-conducting material and means to protect said troughs from overflowof electrolyte as set forth.

3. A secondary or storage battery, having horizontal conducting-platesof different polarity on opposite sides, each provided with a trough atthe edge, containing a liquid insulating material, and conduits toreceive further supplies of insulating liquid as set forth.

4. In a storage battery, a series of horizon tal fiat-bottomedconducting-pans charged or coated with active material,or material-adapted to become active, interposed layers of ab sorbent material moistenedwith electrolytic liquid, rims upon said plates adapted to confine theactive material, and electrolytic liquid and absorbent stratum, incombination with troughs surrounding the margin of said plates, andadapted to receive and retain by gravitation an insulating material in aliquid state, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. Conducting-plates for storage batteries combined with marginaltroughs for holding insulation between the opposite sides thereof, andoverhanging edges to exclude electrolytic fluid from the troughs as setfort-l1.

6. Conducting-plates for storage batteries having marginal troughscontaining liquid insulation between opposite sides thereof, incombination with conduits for insulating liquid leading downwardly fromsaid plates and immersed in the insulating liquid in the trough below asset forth.

7. Conducting-plates for storage batteries having liquid insulatingmaterial, or material adapted to become liquid, between the oppositesides of said plates, combined with conduits for liquid, covered withnonconducting material to prevent accidental conducting contact ofsurfaces of adjacent plates, as set forth.

8. In conducting-plates for storage batteries troughs for holdinginsulating material in a liquid state, on or near the margin thereof, toinsulate the opposite surfaces of said plate, combined withoverflow-conduits for such insulating material, and a rim or dam todefend said overflow-conduits from ingress of electrolytic liquid as setforth.

9. In storage batteries having plates of different polarity on oppositesides, troughs containing an insulating liquid, in combination with theedges of the plate immersed in said troughs of liquid, and tubes tosupply said troughs with liquid, as and for the purpose set forth.

10. In tension storage batteries, a series of conducting-plates,interposed strata of active material, and strata containing electrolyticfluid, in combination with troughs containing liquid insulatingmaterial, or material adapt ed to become liquid, and an edge or girdleof each plate immersed in said material in the troughs, insulatingopposite sides thereof as set forth.

11. In a tension storage battery, a case having practically-parallelsides, a lid fitting in the said sides and provided with overhangingprojections, said case containing a pile of superposed plates coatedwith active material and interposed strata of absorbent material,containing an electrolyte all under compression from the lid, incombination with springs and screws fitted in said projections, and nutsattached to the sides of said case fitting said screws as and for thepurpose set forth.

12. In a tension storage battery, a series of superposed andhorizontally-arranged pans, having insulating edges, and coated withactive material, and interposed absorbent strata containing electrolyticliquid, a case having a bottom, and sides attached thereto, inclosingsaid pans and strata, in combination with a lid fitted to enter the topof said case and press upon said pans and strata, projections on saidlidbeyond the sides, screws fitted through said projections and nutsexterior to said case attached to the sides of the case, all arranged tooperate as set forth.

13. A combined handle and clamping device and conductor protection forstoragebattery cases, consisting of a plate adapted to attach the sameto the ends of'such cases, nuts for screws, sockets for insulators, andears for a bail, all formed integrally with said plate, in combinationwith'swinging bails engaged in saidears, insulators insaid sockets, andscrews in said nuts adapted to clamp the lid of said cases into and onthe sides thereof as set forth.

14. I11 a tension storage battery, a case hav ing a bottom, sidesattached thereto, a pile of pans having insulating-rims, and coatings ofactive material, and absorbentstrata containing electrolytic liquidinterposed between said coated pans, in combination with a lid fittinginto said case and arranged to rest on the pile of pans, projections onsaid lid, and screws, springs on said screws and nuts exterior to andattached to the sides of said ease arranged to compress the pile of pansand intervening strata as set forth.

S LLOYD \VIEGAND.

Witnesses:

C. R. MORGAN, A. A. MORGAN.

